2021 Update: Important Update About Machu Picchu Entrance Times & Extra Hike Tickets for 2019 and 2020
Updated Aug 2021
The Peruvian Government announced changes to Machu Picchu entrance times, tickets, and extra hikes effective January 2019 and additional expected changes for 2020 and beyond. Below please find a summary of the changes, including updates related to COVID19.
COVID updates:
Machu Picchu entrance tickets are severely restricted right now (800 per time slot, per day). This is due to COVID19 and physical distancing requirements. Masks are required to enter Machu Picchu. Tickets are selling out very quickly (1-2 months out) so if you plan to travel in the short term we recommend doing so ASAP.
Extra hikes in Machu Picchu (Wayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain) are currently closed due to COVID19 restrictions. We do not have an update about potential re-opening at this time.
Machu Picchu Entrance Times: in 2019 they changed to 3 time slots with only 2800 people allowed to enter Machu Picchu each day (down from 4000 in 2018)
- First Entrance: 6am to 10am
- Second Entrance: 9am to 1pm
- Third Entrance: 12pm to closing
- Note: there will potentially be 4-5 entrance times in future years
- Due to COVID19 – current capacity in Machu Picchu is has been varying based on outbreak numbers. Expect reduced capacity in 2021, extra hike closures, and difficulty obtaining time slots so we recommend booking early.
HIKES WITHIN MACHU PICCHU
There are hikes within Machu Picchu that you can do on your own if you wish. The hikes that historically have not required an entrance ticket are: The Inka bridge and the Sun Gate (where the Inka Trail ends with a view of Machu Picchu city), although these may become subject to permits and charges in 2021. Further, all permitted hikes are subject to closure due to weather, erosion, pandemic/epidemic, etc., and is outside our control as this is regulated by the Peruvian Government.
Wayna Picchu Mountain and Machu Picchu Mountain hikes both require a paid ticket and there are a limited number of spots (200 at 7am and 200 at 10am). If you want to hike one of these please let us know well in advance as these spots fill up very quickly. Please note we cannot guarantee you a spot for the mountains requiring tickets and that the Wayna Picchu trail is very steep and slippery and not for those afraid of heights or with vertigo).
We recommend the 10am time slot as Machu Picchu tends to be cloudy in the morning. You are only allowed to hike one of these mountains on a given day so if you would like to do both you would need to return the next day to hike the other one.
Extra hikes are affected by the time slots meaning you can:
- Stick with one entrance ticket to Machu Picchu (
6am entrance time) that we include in the cost of our trips and go on the extra hike starting at7am . This means you would miss the guided tour of Machu Picchu unless we customized your trip and added an extra time slot later. - Book an extra entrance ticket (
second time slot) along with the extra hike to enter Machu Picchu at6am , have the guided tour first and some free time and then stay for the extra hike at 9 or10am and depart after the hike.
Inca Trail and Extra Hikes: Inca Trail has not been affected as much by the new rules. You will still enter Machu Picchu via the
- You can only hike one of the extra hikes per day – these are Peruvian Government rules. If you wish to hike both you would need to stay overnight and return to Machu Picchu the next day to hike the second one. We can help arrange this.
- The hikes are permitted and require a paid ticket that is linked to your passport info
- There are 200 slots at
7am for Machu Picchu Mountain and 200 slots at 7am for Wayna Picchu and 200 slots at9am for Machu Picchu Mountain and 200 slots at10am for Wayna Picchu Mountain. - If you want to hike both you need to return the following day to complete the second one.
- A guide is required to enter Machu Picchu with you but would not go on the extra hike with you unless you specifically request that.
- In 2019 they are no longer allowing box lunches to be brought into Machu Picchu so please plan accordingly with plenty of snacks (beyond the ones we provide if you feel you’ll need them).
- In 2019 they are no longer allowing plastic water bottles so come prepared with reusable water bottle(s).
If you have any questions at all about how the entrance tickets and extra hikes please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Check out our treks & tours to Machu Picchu here! If you found this information helpful, please refer to posts about COVID19 Safety Travel Protocol, Updates on Machu Picchu Entry Times and Hikes, Winter Solstice and read about the best time to visit Machu Picchu. Killa Expeditions is passionate about providing exceptional & sustainable adventure eco-travel experiences, encouraging people to explore off the beaten path, and inspiring others to give back.
